Delhi Lieutenant Governor: Delhi Services Bill in Lok Sabha: Oppn calls it ‘assault on federal structure’, Centre says ‘remarks political’ | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Tuesday tabled the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in Lok Sabha amid huge uproar by the opposition members who said the Bill will replace democracy in Delhi with “babucracy”. The Bill empowers the Delhi lieutenant governor to have a final say in recommendations regarding the transfer and posting of Delhi government officials.

The Bill will replace an existing ordinance promulgated by the Centre on May 19. The ordinance was brought to reverse the effect of Supreme Court verdict in May that gave the Delhi government power over administrative services.
The Aam Aadmi Party, which has challenged the Centre’s ordinance in the Supreme Court, called the Bill most undemocratic, illegal piece of paper ever tabled in Parliament. The Centre refuted the opposition’s charge. Union home minister Amit Shah said “Constitution allows Parliament to make laws for Delhi.” He said remarks made against the Bill are political with no basis.

Opposing the Bill, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Chowdhury said: “The bill vindicates the outrageous infringement of the government on the territory of the states. It is designed for digging up a graveyard for cooperating federalism.”
AAP MP Raghav Chadha said the bill is even worse than the previous ordinance and more against “our democracy, the Constitution, and the people of Delhi”. The Bill essentially snatches all powers from the elected government of Delhi and hands those over to the Lt Governor and “babus”. It will replace democracy in Delhi with “babucracy” and has given overriding powers to the bureaucracy and to the Lieutenant Governor, he said.
With inputs from agencies)